Hubcaps with Dynatrack hub kit?

[ACoffel]

Here are some more pics.

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[steved]

So you did no mods to the hub caps? Other than drilling the 4" hold for the hub itself??



How do your caps "attach" to the wheel? Mine has individual "pockets" for each nut...



steved

 

[ACoffel]

Mine also attach using the individual pockets for the nuts and yes all I did

was to bore the center in a mill and they snapped right back on to the lug nuts. Just looking at the amount of protrusion of the studs, I would guess

that it would not work, but much to my surprise it did. The hole diameter

is 4. 25" on mine and the fit is snug.

 

[steved]

Mine didn't... they lack like 1/4"... wonder if they changed studs? And another guy who bought the kit at the same time had the same issues I did... he had to mod the cap...



steved

 

[tkerrigan]

Well, got mine bored out, studs were too long. I removed the wheels, and used a thin cut off wheel on a 4. 5" side grinder to cut the nipples off the studs. Now they fit!

 

[ACoffel]

Mine didn't... they lack like 1/4"... wonder if they changed studs? And another guy who bought the kit at the same time had the same issues I did... he had to mod the cap...



steved

Judging by what you and tkerrigan are saying, I'd say there must be some

variation in the studs that Dynatrac uses. I think from what I gathered

in my conversations with Robert, they are slapping these kits together

rather quickly, although it stiil takes 3 weeks to get one ready to ship.

I will take a measurement of exactly how far my studs protrude past the

nut so that we can make a more solid comparison.

 

[ACoffel]

I measured my wheel studs last night and they stick . 655" past the nut.

 

[steved]

Ehhh, I didn't drive the truck today so it'll need to wait till tomorrow... but I remember mine being almost an inch from the top of the nut... they are really long suckers...



steved

 

[steved]

As a very LATE follow up on the issue with the caps not fitting...



I found this out by accident... when I originally install the DT kit, I was running steel wheels (snow tires) and the caps would not clear those, IMO, extremely long studs with those steel wheels... but I heard so many saying they simply snapped on.



I tried it again using my ALUMINUM wheels and the caps snap on like they are supposed to... just the thickness of the aluminum wheel is enough to clear the studs...



Of course I did this when I was taking my aluminum wheels off for winter, but at least I know for next summer!



Just as an FYI...



steved

 

[sid325]

I modified my caps but didn't like the look. So, I just installed lug nuts long enough to cover the stud and love the look. I'll post a pic tomorrow.



Sid

 

[MMeier]

So, what exactly is involved with this install? With some of the "stuff" i've been hauling lately, 1 st gear, and sometimes reverse just is not enough to get it moving. Appears this is the only way to get a "2 low" kit for a 3rd gen.

 

[steved]

So, what exactly is involved with this install? With some of the "stuff" i've been hauling lately, 1 st gear, and sometimes reverse just is not enough to get it moving. Appears this is the only way to get a "2 low" kit for a 3rd gen.

Basically, if you can change a unit bearing, this kit is a bolt on affair... more or less.



The only two parts that I considered "tough" was removing the OE unit bearings and replacing the axleshaft ujoints. Besides that, the caliper mounting brackets are held in place by locktighted bolts that need a little heat to get out (little as in a small propane torch) and you might possibly need to install the bearing races in the new hubs (if DT did not already do that, mine came installed)... about the only thing the DT kit DIDN'T include were new axlejoints and grease.



Other than that, DT's instructions are fairly good... they could be better, but they will get you done.



I would not start this project unless:



A) you are certain your OE unit bearings will come off easily (mine took that above mentioned propane torch AND a 7 ton puller, as well as a lot of swearing and beat knuckles)...



B) you have access to a press or someone with a press to swap the stub shafts and ujoints...



Other than these couple non-typical mechanic stuff, the typical shadetree mechanic can install this kit as a bolt on. I think even with fighting both unit bearings out, it still took less than 8 hours... it probably would have taken less than 3 hours if the OE unit bearings would not have been siezed...



DT is fairly responsive, I'd ask them for the installation manual for review and you can see for yourself... they should be able to email it to you easy enough...



steved

 

[MMeier]

Thanks Steve!

 

[SBeretz]

Any mileage improvements with the hub kit. I know most probably don't care, but a mileage bonus would be a decent benefit. Scotty

 

[steved]

Any mileage improvements with the hub kit. I know most probably don't care, but a mileage bonus would be a decent benefit. Scotty

It varies depending on the front axle configuration... the older CAD axles don't see as much of a gain as the later non-CAD axles (late 00 Dana 60s and all the AAMs)...



IIRC, the kit gave me around 1 to 1. 5 mpg extra... my main goal was to rid myself of the dreaded 70mph vibrations...



steved

 

[SBeretz]

If you got an extra MPG, that seems like it would be a great benefit to the purchase, along with the extra strength and such. Scotty

 

[steved]

If you got an extra MPG, that seems like it would be a great benefit to the purchase, along with the extra strength and such. Scotty

With the higher fuel prices it will take less miles to pay for itself, but it is still something like 100k before you see any return... most don't plan to keep their trucks that long...



steved